Opera-glass holder



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(ModeL) W. MACK. OPERA GLASS HOLDER.

Patented Nov.- 28; 1882.

lnvenior.

Wz'ines; as v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(ModeL) W; MACK.

OPERA GLASS HOLDER.

Patented Nov. 28, 1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEO WILLIAM MACK, OF TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

OPERA-GLASS HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,112, dated November 28, 1882.

Application filed April 29, 1882. (ModeL) T 0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MACK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Terre Haute, Vigo county, Indiana, have invented anew and usefullmprovement in Handles t'or Opera-Glasses, being an adjustable.

handle to an opera-glass that may be attached and detached at pleasure, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to a new means of holding opera-glasses to the eyes of persons using them. Its objectis to enable persons who use opera-glasses to hold them by my improved handle to their eyes in such a manner as not to raise the hand higher than the breast when using the glass, or,ii' desirable, to enable them to rest theai'm upon the arm of the chair by elongating the handle to the necessary length. I

A further object of the invention is to so construct the instrument that it will fit the case of the opera-glass or fold up in such a small compass that it may be readily carried in the pocket.

The difficulties heretofore experienced of holding opera-glasses to the eyes are well known. There are also other objections. For instance, when the arm or arms holding the glass are elevated they not only tire the holder, but obstruct the view of persons sitting on a line in the rear, resulting in inconvenience to ones self and annoyance to others. It is also unpleasant for ladies, on account of their mode of dressing, to raise their arms sufficiently to bring the hand to the eyes, as it generally disarranges their clothing to an uncomfortable exten t.

The object of my invention is to obviate these and other disadvantages; and to this end it consists of a handle constructed in sections in such manner that when the handle is not in use it may be folded up to occupy a small compass, and when in use is adapted to be opened out and elongated to any desired length, in combination with devices adapted to clutch the tranverse bars of an opera-glass.

It further consists in arranging the handle to such an angle that when the glass is to be held to the eye it will be horizontal therewith.

In carrying out my invention I do not desire to be confined simply to a telescopic or folding handle, as handles may be made of a single piece; or the clutch-fastening may be applied to parasol or cane handles without departing from the principles of myinvention, as I desire to claim broadly holding an operaglass to the eyes by means of a handle attached thereto.

The construction and operation of my invention will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents an instrument or handle in telescopic form ready for use. Fig. 2elearly shows the instrument applied to an operaglass at such an angle as to bring the glass to the eyes on a plane therewith. Fig. 2 also shows the arrangement as adapted to be held in either hand. Fig. 3 shows an opera-glass case with the glass therein, part of the figure being broken away more clearly to show the handle in a closed or folded position.

The same letters denote likeparts in all the figures.

A is the opera-glass, and B the handle.

0 is the opera-glass case, a portion being broken away to more clearly illustrate the position of the handle when folded and inserted in the case. The upper end of the handle, as seen at 1), forms a cylinder, in which I locate a piston and spring. The cylinder is provided on its face with a longitudinal slot for the reception of a pin or projection,which is fastened to the piston to retain the piston in position.

To one end of the piston is secured a spiral or other spring, the other end of said spring being secured to the end of the cylinder. The office of the spring is to yield sufficiently to permitthe clutch or book to clutch the transverse bar of the glass or other object. On the other end of the pistonI fasten a hook, d, which is adapted to clutch one side of the transverse bar 9, while the other side is clutched by a bifurcated slot or notch, c. The spring draws the hook toward the notch and clutches between them the transverse bar of the operaglass, which is thus held in position.

To detach or attach the handle to the trans verse bar of the opera-glass, which runs between the cylinders, it is onlynecessary to pull the handle until the bifurcated slotis off, then lower the hand, which motion will relieve the hook d--the same motion to attach the bandie, only raising the hand, when the two slots will come together and clutch the bar.

It is evident other forms of clutches and fastenings may be made within wide scope, as I do not wish to confine myself to fastenings shown.

It is also obvious that the handle may be made of any suitable material, and when made very delicate and of very fine material, then it becomes ornamental, when the testhetic effect is neat and pleasing.

Having described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. The combination of an opera-glass with a detachable handle for holding said glass to the eyes of the holder, substantially as described.

2. The combination of an opera-glass with a detachable handle, the handle being arranged at any suitable angle that will adapt the glass to the position of the eyes when held in either hand, as shown and described.

3. The combination of an opera-glass with an adjustable handle, the said handle being adapted to be elongated at will, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with an opera-glass, A, of the handle B, made in sections, as described, and arranged to close telescopically, the end section thereof being provided with a fastening device or clutch, in the manner shown and set forth.

5. The combination, with an opera-glass, of the handle, made in telescopic sections and adapted to close telescopically, the end section forming acylinder, in which are placed a spring, piston, and hook, all arranged as set forth.

6. The combination, with an opera-glass, of the handle made in sections and arranged to close telescopically, the end section being provided with clutching devices, and the section itself, at its end, being provided with a bifurcated slot, for the purposes set forth and described.

7. As an article of manufacture, an operaglass handle made in sections and provided at its end with clutching devices, substantially as described.

WILLIAM MACK- Witnesses J AS. M. ALLEN, HARRY DONHAM. 

